The Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-pharma Manufacturers’ Association (KPBMA) has teamed up with the Korea Conformity Laboratories (KCL) to support the development of artificial intelligence-based new drugs.

The two groups signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on AI-based new drug development at the KPBMA’s head office in Seocho-gu, southern Seoul, on Monday. Under the partnership, the two will share latest data related to the development of AI-based new drug candidates and performance tests, as well as push various projects including education to nurture experts in pharmaceutical product development.

Won Hee-mok (right), president of the Korea Pharmaceutical and Bio-pharma Manufacturers’ Association, and Kim Kyung-sik, president of the Korea Conformity Laboratories, sign on a memorandum of understanding to jointly support artificial intelligence-based new drug development, in Seoul, Monday.

The MOU allows members of the KPBMA to make use of research equipment, owned by the KCL.

“Adoption of new technologies to lead the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as AI and Big Data integration, is the key to designing the pharmaceutical industry’s future. Our association is also putting efforts to raise the local drugmakers’ competitiveness through establishing a platform to support AI-based new drug development,” said Won Hee-mok, president of the KPBMA.

“The KCL’s projects to discover new drug candidates and develop testing methods for AI-based new drug development will be helpful for local drugmakers,” Won went on to say. “We will ensure that the KCL’s work can reach our member companies and enhance the pharmaceutical industry’s competitiveness.”

KCL President Kim Kyung-sik hoped that the partnership with the KPBMA would reinforce pharmaceutical firms’ competitiveness and promote the pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical industry.

“The KCL will expand cooperation with the KPMBA and actively assist drugmakers’ development of AI-using new drugs through technological support and consultations,” Kim said.

The KCL, affiliated with the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards under the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, is the nation’s largest institution in accreditation and certification. It has been designated by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety as a legitimate Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) institution. The KCL evaluates the performance of new drug candidates with accumulated analysis technologies, advanced equipment, and competent human resources. It also tests and conducts R&D in pharmaceutical products, biotech and medical device, renewable energy and safety-related goods, and eco-friendly businesses.